Introducing Queen’s Young Leaders Priscilla, Anael and Brima

Feb06,2018

Hannah Donovan

Each week we are introducing you to the 2018 Queen’s Young Leaders, sharing their stories and celebrating the incredible work that they are doing in their communities. Take a look at last weeks post featuring Isaac Ezirim and Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph from Nigeria

This week we are getting to know Priscilla Ruzibuka from Rwanda, Anael Bodwell from Seychelles and Brima Manso Bangura from Sierra Leone.

Priscilla from Rwanda

Priscilla is the creator of Kipepeo Clothing project which employs women from underprivileged communities. Priscilla trains them as tailors and uses the profits from the sales of the clothes to pay fair salaries. Priscilla also offers the women microloans if they need help supporting their families and advises them on how to look after their money.

The designs for the Kipepeo t-shirts are created by Tanzanian Primary School children during lessons, and the proceeds from sales go back to support schools and education in Tanzania.

“I look forward to a once in a lifetime experience, gaining new friendships and joining forces to create a better future for all.”

Priscilla is also a board member of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Rwanda, a membership-based organisation that empowers youth in the community in areas such as entrepreneurship and leadership and connects them with mentors and investors.

Anael from Seychelles

Anael from Mahe was chosen as a Queen’s Young Leader in recognition of the work she is doing to educate young people about their sexual and reproductive health in her community and beyond

In 2012 she co-founded Youth Action Movement (YAM) of Seychelles, the first youth group in her country to discuss these issues. The group was recognised by the International Planned Parenthood Federation for the campaign it led to improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services for young people, to help girls to understand their rights and for the contribution it made towards national policy on adolescents and reproductive health. In 2015, Anael was elected as a board member of the Seychelles National Youth Council for a two-year term.

“This Award represents valuation, recognition and celebration of young people’s contribution to their communities. We don’t set out to be leaders, we set out to make a difference.”

Anael is also the co-founder of SYAH Seychelles, the Seychelles Chapter of a network that connects young people working for sustainable development in the Small Island Developing States of the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea region. One of the organisations objectives is to advocate for inclusion and participation of young people in decision making at a national and international level.

Brima from Sierra Leone

Brima from Freetown, Sierra Leone has been chosen in recognition of the work he is doing to solve problems through his creative entrepreneurship in his community and beyond.

Brima is an inventor, solving problems in his community through entrepreneurship. Having grown up in a slum in Sierra Leone where there was no access to a stable electricity supply, Brima invented a bicycle-powered generator to provide clean, environmentally-friendly and affordable electricity to power household appliances. His invention benefitted not only his own family, but also his neighbours and the wider community. He recently won an award for inventing a substance made from coconut shells which can absorb carbon monoxide in enclosed areas. While studying at the African Leadership Academy, Brima started a Creativity and Innovation Club to encourage a culture of innovation among young people and to enable them to create practical solutions to problems facing their communities.

“I am honoured to have been chosen to receive a Queen’s Young Leaders Award – it’s such a pleasure to be part of this group of young passionate individuals who are making a lasting impact in their communities. I am really excited to see what the year ahead will bring, and looking forward to meeting the other Award winners to learn more about their amazing work.”

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The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme is a partnership between The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Comic Relief, The Royal Commonwealth Society and The University of Cambridge's Institute of Continuing Education.

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